Recent Jacksonville High graduate Meredith McCarty has been a soccer player since she was 5-years-old.

She said she likes the sport because “I’ve made my best friends playing soccer” and that meeting new coaches and teammates “is the best part.”

The 18-year-old McCarty will now have a chance to meet more people thanks to soccer when she plays in the N.C. Coaches Association East-West all-star game July 23 and when she joins the soccer program at NCAADivisionIIIMeredithCollege.

McCarty, a forward, will play in the East-West game July 23 at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro. The match features the best seniors from the East region against the best from the West.

“I’m really nervous but so excited because it’s a great experience,” McCarty said. “I know Morgan Leyble (former JHS teammate) did it last year and I know she had a great time.”

This past season, McCarty recorded 24 goals and 16 assists to help Jacksonville to a Coastal 3-A Conference title. She was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 3-A all-state team and made the first team of The Daily News all-area team.

Jacksonville coach Dave Miller believes McCarty will represent the Cardinals well in the all-star game.

“Meredith offers a lot from the outside,” he said. “She has a good work ethic, a great attitude and she will help the team. She’s a tremendous athlete and she is not afraid to work hard to make things happen on the field.”

Like many other players, McCarty wants to play well and help her side win the all-star game. Yet she also wants to have fun while meeting new people.

“Honestly, I want to go have fun, but it is a serious game,” McCarty said. “I want to go all out, but I don’t want to get hurt. I’m looking forward to having a good game and training and playing with the girls.”

Following the East-West game, McCarty will start her preparations for MeredithCollege, a private women’s college in Raleigh. The Avenging Angels’ soccer team went 13-7 overall and 8-3 in the USA South Conference last year.

McCarty, who will report to campus on Aug. 15, said playing in the all-star game will help her prepare for Meredith.

“I think the great experience of playing with the best of the best in the East will definitely help me play with the Meredith girls,” McCarty said. “It should really help me in my college career.”

McCarty was dangerous on Jacksonville’s offensive attack when she got the ball along the flanks and took it toward the middle for a scoring opportunity. She also possesses an ability to break down defenders.

“I think my speed is pretty good,” McCarty said. “Definitely taking people on is one of my strengths.”